William Marshal at the The Battle of Lincoln in 1218

After the death of King John in 1216, Louis VIII, heir to the French kingdom, sailed across the English Channel to lay claim to the England's throne. William the Marshal, who acted as the regent for the young Henry III, led the English forces against the French army that was besieging the castle of Lincoln, and on May 20th the two sides met in battle. As the text below recounts, William personally led the attack against the French forces and defeated them. A few months later Prince Louis was forced to give up his invasion of England.

Any man with ears to hear, hear
me now

Ore oie qui oreiles a;

and make sure he pays full
attention to my words!

De bien oïr s'entende ja!

For the fact is that in my words
you will hear it all,

Qu'en cez moz orreiz ja la somme

how God came to the assistance
of that worthy man

Com Dex conseilla le prodome

who, above all others, was the
very best of men,

Qui devant toz ert esleüz

the most highly prized and
trusted.

E plus presiez e plus creüz.

"Hear me, you noble, loyal
knights, "

"Oiez, frans chevaliers
leials,"

said William the Marshal,

Dist Willemes li Mareschals,

"you who keep faith with
the King.

"E qui al rei estes en fei;

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In God's name hear me now,

Por Dieu, or entendez a mei,

for your attention to what I say
is most necessary.

Kar molt i fait bien a entendre.

Now that we, in order to defend
our name,

Quant nos, por nostre pris
defendre,

for ourselves and for the sake
of our loved ones,

E por nos e por nos amanz

our wives and our children,

E por femes e por enfanz,

and to defend our land

E por defendre nostre tere

and win for ourselves the
highest honour,

E por tresaute enor conquere,

and to safeguard the peace of
Holy Church

E por la pais de sainte Glise

which our enemies have broken
and infringed,

Que cil ont enfrete e malmise,

and to gain redemption

E por aveir redemption

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and pardon for all our sins,

De toz noz pecchez e pardon,

now that we, for all that, have
taken on the burden of armed combat,

Sostenons des armes le fes,

let us make sure there is no
coward amongst us!

Gardez n'i ait ui nul malveis!

Some of our enemies

Partie de nos enemis

have got inside Lincoln,

Se sunt dedenz Nichole mis;

and I know for a fact that the
reason they have gone inside

S'i sunt entré, jel sai de veir

is to lay siege to our castle.

Por nostre chastel asseeir,

However, they are not all there.

Mes n'i sunt mie tot ensemble.

I believe that lord Louis

Sire Loeïs, ce me semble,

has gone elsewhere.

Est en autre païs torné;

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Those who have set out on this
mission

Cil qui se sunt atorné

have been rash in making their
assault.

Se sunt enbatuz folement.

We shall be a lily-livered lot

Trop nos deduirons molement

if we do not now take revenge

Se nos ne pernons or venjance

on those who have come from
France

De cels qui sunt venu de France

to take for themselves the lands
of our men,

Por nostre gent deseriter,

thinking to inherit the same.

Dont il se quident eriter.

They seek our total destruction;

Destruire nos vuelent de bot;

so, in God's name, let us play
for the highest stakes,

Por Deu, metons tot a tot,

for, if victory is ours,

Kar, se nos avons la victorie,

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we must truly bear in mind

Bien devons aveir en memorie

that honour will accrue to us,

Qu'enor nos en sera creüe,

and that that heritage will
be defended,

E la franchise defendue

for us and our descendants,

A nos e a nostre lignage

which they shamefully wish

Que en volent par lor outrage

to deprive us of; we will
truly hold on to that,

Tolir nos, mes bien la tendrons;

since it is God's wish that we
defend ourselves.

Dex velt que nos nos defendons.

And, since their army is
divided,

E quant lor ost est departie,

we shall more easily overcome a
part

Nos veintruns mielz l'une partie

of their force than if they were
all together.

De lor genz que trestoz
ensemble;

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What I say is right and makes
sense, I feel;

C'est dreiz e reson, ce me
semble,

God wills it and reason proves
it to be right.

Dex le velt e raison le prueve.

So, it is right that each of you
should strive

Dunt est dreiz que chascuns
s'esmueve

to the best of his ability to
meet this need,

Son son poër a cest afaire,

for otherwise we cannot achieve
our objective.

Car autrement nel pouons fere.

There is not a man here who does
not see

N'i a nul sol de nos ne veie

that we must free the road that
lies ahead

Qu'il couvient delivrer la veie

with blades of iron and steel.

Devant al fer e a l'acier;

This is not the time for idle
threats,

Or n'i a mot del manacier,

let us quickly launch an attack
on them.

Mes isnelement lor corons sore.

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Let us give thanks to God, who
has given us the opportunity

Diex nos a doné tens e ore,

to take our revenge

Soie merci, de nos vengier

on those who came here

De cels que por nos ledengier

to do us harm and damage.

Sunt ci venu e por mal faire;

Nobody should hold back:

Nus ne s'en deit ariere traire:

a man takes full revenge for the
wrong and shame done to him

Bien venge son mal e sa honte

who overcomes his enemy."

Cil qui sun enemi
sormonte."

These words put hope in their
hearts,

A cez diz pristrent esperment

cheered, strengthened and
emboldened them,

E cuer e force e ardement,

so that they did not hesitate to
advance.

K'aler avant rien ne lor coste.

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On the Wednesday of Whitsun

Le mecresdi de Pentecoste

they rode to Newark,

Dessi qu'a Newerc
chevalchierent;

where they camped for the night.

La nuit iloc se herbergerent.

The next day, Thursday, they
rested.

Le juesdi aprés sejornerent;

The Normans in the army

E li Normant qui en l'ost erent

went to see the young Marshal

Dusqu'al gienvle Mareschal
vindrent,

and spoke to him the words

A teil parole le tindrent

that you will hear me say next:

Comme vos m'orrez aprés dire:

"In the name of God,"
they said, "my dear lord,

"En non Dieu," font
il, "beals dolz sire,

you were born in Normandy,

Vos fuistes neiz en Normendie;

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so it is only right for us to
tell you

Si est bien dreiz que l'en vos
die

that you are aware that the
Normans,

E qu'os sachiez que li
Normant

should be given the privilege of
dealing the first blows

Deivent lé premiers cops avant

in every battle fought.

Aveir en checune bataille.

Make sure that you don't fall
down on this."

Gardez qu'endreit vos ne
defaille."

When the earl of Chester heard

E quant li cuens de Cestre oï

these words, he was not one bit
pleased,

Ces moz, point ne s'en esjoï,

and, indeed, he told them
plainly, without mincing words,

Ainz lor dit pleinnement sanz
faille,

that, if he was not given the
right to launch the first attack,

S'il n'a la premiere bataille,

he would not join them in the
army

Qu'il n'ireit ovec els en l'ost,

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and they would not have his
support.

Ne de lui n'avreient acost.

The Marshal and those present

Li Mareschal e cil qu'i erent

did not like this dissension at
all,

La discorde point n'i amerent,

so they granted his every wish,

S'otreierent tuz ses talenz,

whilst reserving the rights of
the Normans.

Salve la dreiture as Normanz.

Once the matter had been
settled,

Quant agreanté fu l'affere,

the papal legate, as was his
duty,

Li legaz, qui bien le dut faire,

absolved them with full
remission

Les assolt en remission

and pardon of their sins,

De lor pecchez e en pardon,

of all the sins committed by
them

De trestoz icels que il firent

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since the hour of their birth,

Puis icele ure qu'il nasquirent,

so that they might be free to
receive

Si qu'il en fussent quitement

salvation on Judgement Day.

Salvé al jor del jugement.

He then excommunicated the
French

Puis escumenia les genz

inside the town,

De France qui erent dedenz;

a fact that is well known to
people.

Issi fu fet, bien le seit l'en.

The legate then rode

Li legaz vers Notingaham

straight to Nottingham,

Tint son dreit chemin e sa veie.

whilst the army proceeded to
Torksey.

L'ost ves Torkesie s'aveie;

They camped there that night

La nuit i jurent, tant vos di,

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and the next day, a Saturday,

E l'endemain al samedi

following mass, they took
up their arms

Aprés messe les armes pristrent

and put every effort into
preparing themselves.

D'els acesmer mult
s'entremistrent.

When they were well and truly
armed,

Quant bien e bel armé se furent,

they organised and duly

Lors atornerent comme il durent

drew up their squadrons,

Lor batailles e conreerent

and formed their battalions.

E lor escheles ordinerent.

The earl of Chester rode
out first,

Li cuens de Cestre eissi avant,

a brave and highly experienced
knight,

Proz chevaliers e bien savant,

with the earl Marshal next,

E li cuens Mareschal
aprés,

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he and his son side by side,

Il e si fiz tot pres a pres,

both of them having high
expectations

Qui molt erent en grant espeir

of advancing their cause to the
best of their ability.

D'avancier l'euvre a lor poeir.

And so they did, very clearly,

Si firent il, bien i parut,

for their ability produced a
rich return.

Car lor poer molt i valut;

The worthy earl of Salisbury,

E li boens cuens de Salesbere,

whom may the Lord our God and
his mother

Lequel Damlnedex e sa mere

grant the right to share in his
glory,

Face compaignon de sa glorie,

rode forward in the third
formation.

S'en eissi en la tierce estorie.

The worthy bishop of Winchester,

Li buens evesque de Vincestre,

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who was in command of one part
of the army

Qui d'une part ert de l'ost
mestre,

led the fourth formation

Si conduist la quarte bataille

....................................................

..............................................

was not for one moment harmed by
that.

Unques point n'en fu enconbrez.

When the entire army was counted
up,

Quant tot li oz fu ennonbrez,

there were only four hundred

Ne furent il que quatre cent

and five knights amongst them,

E .v. chevalier solement,

and, I can assure you,
crossbowmen

Ne d'arbalestiers entreset

only three hundred and
seventeen.

Fors sol treis cenz e .xvii.;

They were few, but they
conducted themselves in a fine manner,

Poi furent, mes bel se
porterent,

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for they were brave and valiant
men.

Car buene gent e hardie erent.

And once they had ridden out,

E quant issi eissu s'en furent,

properly drawn up in close
ranks,

Al reingnie, si comme il durent,

the Marshal spoke to them

Lores parla molt hautement

in a very stirring way,

Li Mareschal a cele gent,

in the manner of a man who well
knew how to do that

Comme cil qui bien le sout
feire,

and was best capable of pulling
it off.

Car mielz en saveit a chief
traire,

He said: "Now listen, my
lords!

Si dist: "Ore escoutez,
seignor!

There is honour and glory to be
won here,

Vez ici hautece e enor,

and my opinion is that we have
the chance

Vez ici, ce nos est a vis,

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to free our land.

La delmorance del païs;

It is true that you can win this
battle.

Ci poez conquerre, c'est veirs.

Our lands and our possessions
those men

Cil nos terres e nos avers

have seized and taken by force.

Sesissent e pernent a force;

Shame be upon the man who does
not strive,

Honiz seit qui ci ne s'esforce

this very day, to put up a
challenge,

De metre i, ui cest jor,
chalenge,

and may the Lord our God take
care of the matter!

E Damlnedex conrei en prenge!

You see them here in your power.

Vez les bel isi suz
uim;

So much do I fully guarantee,

Itant vos prenc je bien em main

that they are ours for the
taking, whatever happens,

Il sunt nostre, comment qu'il
aut,

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if courage and bravery are not
found wanting.

Se cuers e herdemenz n'i faut.

And, if we die
.......................,

E se nos morons
...........................,

God, who knows who are his loyal
servants,

Dex, qui ses buens veit e
descuevre,

will place us today in paradise,

Nos met ui en son paradis;

of that I am completely certain.

De ce sui je certeins e fis;

And, if we beat them, it is no
lie to say

E se nos lé vencons, sanz fable,

that we will have won eternal
glory

Nos avrons enor pardurable

for the rest of our lives,

Conquise a trestoz nos eages,

both for ourselves and for our
kin.

A nos e a toz nos lignages.

And I shall tell you another
fact

Si vos dirrai un autre acontre

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which works very badly against
them:

Qui trop leidement les encontre,

they are excommunicated

Que il sunt escomenïé,

and for that reason all the more
trapped.

D'itant sunt il plus enlïé;

I can tell you that they will
come to a sticky end

Si vos di que mal chief
prendront,

as they descend into hell.

Que que en enfer descendrunt.

There you see men who have
started a war

Vez ci cels qui gerre ont
enprise

on God and Holy Church.

Contre Dieu e vers seinte Glise;

I can fully guarantee you this,

Itant vos prenc je bien en main,

that God has surrendered them
into our hands.

Dex lé nos a mis en la main.

Let us make haste and attack
them,

Haston nos, si lor coron sore,

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for it truly is time to do
so!"

Car bien est e tens e ore!"

When the Marshal had spoken,

Quant parlé out li Mareschals

as the worthy, loyal,

Comme proz e comme leials

and wise knight he was,

E come sages chevaliers,

he entrusted his crossbowmen

Lors bailla les arbalestiers

to Peter, the worthy bishop of
Winchester,

Al buen evesque de Wincestre,

who was in charge of leading
them,

Qui de bien mener ses fu mestre,

who had sound knowledge in that
sphere,

Pieres, qui molt sout de l'afere

and who strove hard to perform
well.

E mult se pena de bien faire.

Then he told him to place
himself straightway

Aprés lui dist que demaneis

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to the right of the French,

Fust a la destre de Franceis;

and he told the bowmen to make
sure to

E si lor dist que tant feïssent

spread themselves out in a long
line,

Que estenduement s'entendissent,

so that, when the French
arrived,

Si que quant li Franceis
venissent

their horses would be killed
under them.

Que lor chevals lor occeïssent.

The Marshal then asked for

E li Mareschal
demanda

two hundred soldiers and ordered
them

Deus cenz serjanz e quemanda

to be ready to kill

Qu'en ocire meïssent peine

their own horses with their
knives,

Des couverez lor chevals
demeine,

so as to be able to take shelter
behind them,

Si qu'en lieu de lices lor
fussent

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if necessary, in an emergency.

Al besoingn se mestier eüssent.

All those who listened to the
earl

Tuit cil qui le conte
escouterent

displayed their joy

Joiosement se demenerent,

and disported themselves as
merrily

E aussins envoisiement

as if they were at a tournament.

Com se ço fust torneiement.

In the castle,

Laïnz furent Franceis par
nombre,

if I have got my figures right,

Qui li nonbre ne m'en encombre,

there were six hundred and
eleven French knights,

Sis cenz e unze chevaliers;

and at least a thousand foot
soldiers,

S'i furent bien mil peoniers,

not counting the English with
them,

Estre Engleis qui o els
esteient,

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who were still on the French
side.

Qui encore a els se teneient.

Out of the city rode

De la vile eissirent eissi

Sir Simon de Poissy,

Missires Simons de Peissi

along with the count of Perche

E le conte del Perche o lui

and the earl of Winchester,

E cil de Vincestre autresi,

their mission being to observe
the King's men

Que l'ost des reals sorveïssent

and bring back a true report on
their strength.

E verité lor en deïssent.

They went and quickly returned.

Cil alerent e tost revindrent;

The result of their observation

Lor sorveüe a itant tindrent

was that they estimated them to
be a fine body of men,

Que bele gent i ont esmee:

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and that a troop better
equipped for war

Unques nule mielz acesmee

and more resolute to wage it,

Ne melz enpernante de guerre

nobody had ever seen in any
land.

Ne vit mes uns en nule terre.

Once they heard the news given
to them,

As noveles que cil lor distrent

the French withdrew behind their
walls,

Franceis dedenz lor murs se
mistrent,

and they said that they knew
full well

E si distrent que bien saveient

that the King's men had not the
power

Que li real poër n'aveient

to attack them inside the city,

Qu'en la vile les assaillissent,

whatever pretence they put up,

Quel semblant que il en
feïssent,

and that they would go away;

E distrent qu'il s'en
partireient;

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but the King's men would not be
allowed

Mes ja issi ne s'en ireient

to get away scot-free,

Li real o correies ointes,

because they would have other
encounters

Qu'il n'eüssent autres acointes

as they left, so they swore.

Al departir, ce
s'afichoent,

And they disclosed and gave
what,

E bien disoient e mostroent,

in their opinion, was the real
reason

Ce lor ert vis, dreite acheison

why and how

Coument e pur quele raison

they would gain many of their
possessions:

Il avreient del lor assez,

their horses were weary

Car lor chevals erent lassez

from carrying heavy burdens,
from the long journeys,

Des grant fes e des granz
tornees,

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from all the stopping, the
turning round,

De l'arester, des retornees,

because both by night and
by day

Qu'il lor couveneit nuit e jor

their masters had to be mounted
on their backs.

Que sor els fussent lor seignor.

The French in saying this spoke
the truth,

Li Franceis d'itant veir se
distrent,

but, nevertheless, the King's
men

Mes totes veies s'entremistrent

began to move quickly

Li real d'aler bien e tost

with the entire army towards the
city,

Vers la vile e tote lor ost

and boldly so, not caring who
saw them.

Herdïement, ne chaut quis veie.

And the Marshal constantly

E li Mareschal tote veie

exhorted and addressed them,

Les amoneste e lor sermone

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giving them heart and courage.

E herdement e cuer lor done,

His words to them were: "My
lords, my friends,

Si lor a dit: "Seignor ami,

look how those who mustered

Veiz ci cels qui sunt arrami

with a view to riding to attack
you

De venir vers vos a bataille

have already shown their true
colours

Ont ja depeciee lor caille

and retreated behind their
walls;

E dedenz lor murs se sunt mis;

that is what God promised us.

C'est ce que Dex nos a pramis.

God gives us great glory!

Dex nos done grant glorie;

This is our first victory,

C'est ci la premiere victorie

the fact that we have made the
French hide away,

Que por nos se muchent Franceis,

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men who in the past were
accustomed

Cil qui soleient estre anceis

to coming first in the
tournament;

Li premier al tornïement;

God is giving us good guidance.

Dex nos feit bel aveiement.

They greatly increase our worth
and lessen their own

Mult nos haucent e mult
s'abessent

when they leave us in charge of
the fields outside.

Cill qui les chans defors nos
lessent.

We shall encircle the city,

Nos seron entor la cité,

I can tell you that for a fact.

Cest vos di je por verité;

Let us perform well, God so
wishes it.

Feson le bien, car Dex le volt.

Whoever was wont to be a brave
man,

Qui c'onques prodom estre seult

let him really see to it that he
is so now,

Si le soit ui en bone atente;

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lest he repent of his deeds this
day."

Ja por un jor ne se
repente."

My lords, I must add something
further:

Seignor, ci me covient plus
dire,

those who have given me my
subject matter

Car cil qui me donent matire

do not agree unanimously,

Ne s'acordent pas tot a un,

and I cannot follow all of them

Ne je ne puis pas a chascun

for that would be wrong of me

Obeïr, car je mefereie,

and I would lose the right road

Sin perdreie ma dreite veie,

and be less trustworthy,

Si en fereie mains a creire,

since, when telling a true
story,

Car en estorie qui est veire

nobody does right to lie;

Ne doit nus par reison mentir,

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lies are not to be condoned

Car ne fait pas a consentir

in a matter which is so well
known,

Mensonge en chose si seüe,

so widely heard about and
witnessed.

Qui tant est oï e veüe;

But I well tell you this much,
in a word,

Mes tant vos dirrei a un mot,

that when the Marshal saw and
knew

Quant li Mareschal vit e sout

about the whole business and the
manner of it,

Tote la chose e le portreit

namely that the other side had
retreated,

Que cil s'erent arriere treit,

before our army advanced
further,

Ainz que l'ost plus avant venist

he told John the Marshal,

A Johan li Mareschal dist,

his nephew, to go

Son nevo, qu'el chastel alast

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and make enquiries

Si enqueïst e demandast

about the lie of the land
inside,

L'estre dedenz e la maniere,

and then return.

Puis si s'en revenist arriere.

And Sir John carried out

E missire Johans si fist

quickly and to good effect what
his uncle had said:

Tost e bien, si commë il dist:

he went straight to the castle,

Tot dreit vers le chastel ala,

and, as he reached it,

E issi conmë il vint la

Sir Geoffrey de Serlant

A l'encontre li ert errant

came riding up to meet him.

Missires Geffrei de Cerllant,

On one side of the road

Qui d'une part en une estree

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he showed him the entrance

Li demostra tote l'entree

through which the army could
penetrate the castle,

Par ou l'ost laïnz avendreit,

for there would be nobody there
to stop it.

Que ja nuls nel contretendreit.

Sir John could see for himself

Misssire Johans vit molt bien

that the man showing him the
entrance

Que cil ne li menteit de rien

was not lying in any way,

Qui l'entree li enseignot;

and so he returned as soon as
possible,

Retorna s'en a l'einz qu'il
pout,

for he had no wish to tarry.

Car n'out talent de sejorner.

Just as he thought to turn his
horse round,

Si comme il s'en quida torner,

the French, who were lying in
ambush,

Li Franceis, qui en aguet
furent,

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immediately assailed him.

Erraument sore li corrurent.

He did not behave like a man
terrified

Ne fist pas esbaïement,

but boldly encountered

Ainz encontra herdïement

the first few of them to reach
him,

Toz les primereins qui li
vindrent,

and they could not withstand
him,

Si qu'onques vers lui ne se
tindrent,

because of his bravery and
courage,

Par herdement e par proëce

his skill and his speed.

E par bien faire e par vistesse;

He returned so quickly to where
he had come from ...

Meis retorna si tost ariere ....

and there was not a single one
of them there.

Qu'onques nuls d'els n'i eüst.

Thus, in very truth, John the
Marshal

Issi parti de cels de France

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departed from the French

Sanz meschef e sanz mesestance

without suffering any harm or
mischief,

Johans li Mareschal por veir,

and he fully made them realise

E bien lor fist aperceveir

that he had gone there to seek
them out

Qu'i esteit venuz por els querre

and to claim his land from them.

E por chalengier lor sa terre.

Once he had sent them on their
way,

Quant il les out mis en la veie,

he rode straight back to his
uncle

Tot dreit vers son oncle
s'aveie,

and told him all that had
happened to him.

Si li conta tot son afaire;

I can tell you that his uncle
was much pleased

Sachiez qu'a l'oncle pot molt
plere

by his exploit, the encounter
with the enemy,

E de l'uevre e de l'assemblee

16460

and with the news about the
entrance.

E des noveles de l'entree.

That is what Sir John
did on that occasion,

Issi le fist a cele feiz

but it would not be right for me

Sire Johans, mes n'est pas dreiz

to relate my account in advance;

Que redie par ci me taille;

what he did in the battle

De ce qu'il fist en la bataille

will be related when the right
moment comes,

Sera parlé quant lius en iert,

and as my written source
stipulates.

Si com l'estorie le requiert.

The bishop of Winchester,

E li avesques de Wincestre,

who had a great wish to learn
about their situation,

Qui molt volt saveir de lor
estre,

rode of his own will towards the
walls,

Ala vers les murs volentiers

16470

with a big contingent of
crossbowmen.

A grant plenté d'arbalestiers;

Then he told them to wait for
him there,

Puis lor dist qu'iloc
l'atendissent,

and to remain patient for a
while,

O un poi iloc se soufrissent,

and said that he would return
quickly.

Qu'il revendreit hastivement.

Taking with him only one
soldier,

O un servant tant solement

he entered the castle,

Dedenz le chastel s'en entra,

and, as he did so, he met

E en son entrer encontra

Sir Geoffrey de Serlan,

De Serlant monseignor
Geiffrei,

who had been in great fear.

Qui out esté en grant esfrei;

They saw the collapsing fallen
walls

Les murs trebuchiez e quassez

16480

and greatly lamented what they
saw.

Virent, si les pleinstrent asez.

The bishop witnessed the damage
sustained

Li evesques vit les tormenz

by walls, houses, and people,

Des murs, des meissons e des
genz

knocked down to the ground and
laid low

Que les perrieres qui jetoent

by the stones launched by
catapults.

Trebuchoent e abateient.

Some of those inside the castle

Alcuns de cels qui laïnz erent

tried to protect him, and asked
him,

Le garnirent, si li roverent,

for God's sake, to stand back,

Por Dieu, qu'il se traïst
arrieres

because of the mangonels and
catapults

Por mangonels e por perieres,

which were breaking everything
in sight,

Qui pecieient tot entor,

16490

but he entered the tower.

Et il s'en entra en la tor.

There he found that worthy lady

Iloec trova la boene dame,

(may God protect her in body and
soul!)

Que Dex gard en cors e en ame,

who was its castellan

Qui dame cel chastel esteit,

and was defending it to the best
of her ability.

A son poeir le defendeit.

The lady was very pleased

Bien s'en tint la dame avenue,

and was full of joy at his
arrival,

Molt se heta de sa venue,

and he gave her great comfort

E il molt le conforta

through the news he brought her.

Des noveles qu'il aporta.

I can tell you that he did not
stay long there;

Poi i demora, ge vos di;

16500

he entered the town on foot

Par un postiz a pié eissi

through a postern gate, for his
wish was

En la vile, car il voleit

to see what the situation was
there.

Veer coument ke seeit.

And as he looked around him,

E comme il esgardout issi,

he caught sight of an old gate,

Une vielle porte choisi,

a gate of great antiquity

Qui ert de grant antequité

which was the link between the
city walls

E qui les murs de la cité

and those of the castle.

Joigneit ovec cels del chastel.

When he saw it, he was very
pleased,

Quant il la vit, molt li fu bel,

but it had long before been

Mes el fu ancïenement

16510

blocked in with stone and
cement,

Close de pere e de ciment,

so that nobody could have passed
through it,

Si que nuls entrer n'i peüst

whatever need he had to do so.

Por nul bosoing qu'il en eüst.

Once the bishop had seen

Quant li evesques out veüe

and espied that gate,

Cele porte e aparceüe,

he had it knocked out

Por le chastel plus
enforcier

so as to give better protection
to the castle,

La fist abatre e trebuchier,

and so that the king's army
could see and know

E que l'ost veïst e seüst

that they had a certain point of
entry there.

Que seüre entree i eüst,

But, before doing so, he prayed
to God in the matter,

Mes Deu tot avant en preia,

16520

and God granted him his wish.

E Damlnedex li otreia.

The bishop returned to join the
army,

Li avesques a l'ost revint,

whose men came to meet him with
joy in their hearts,

Qui a joie encontre lui vint,

and every man in his squadron
was singing,

E chantout chascuns en s'estorie

as if victory were already
theirs.

Cum il eüsent ja victorie.

The bishop was full of mirth

Li evesques joiosement

as he told them gently, in jest,

Lor dist par giu buenement

why he had played that trick of
his:

Por ço qu'il out fait cele
tresque,

it was with a view to claiming
the bishop's palace

Qu'il eüst la meisun l'evesque

to sleep in when he got there,

A lui gesir quant la vendreit,

16530

for he ought to have it by
right.

Qu'il la deveit aveir par dreit.

"The reason why it should
be given up to me

"Por ço me deit estre
livree

is that I have arranged that
entrance

Que l'entree i ai aparaillé

for the safe

Par ou noz genz seürement

and valorous entry of our
men."

I enterront proosement."

And when Fulcher's men heard

E quant les genz Fauques oïrent

these words, they were
overjoyed;

Itels moz, molt s'en esjoïrent;

they went straight ahead and
entered,

Tot avant dedenz entrerent,

but those inside repelled them

Mes leidement les reüserent

savagely, so that they achieved
hardly anything

Cil dedenz, qu'il n'i firent
gueres,

16540

and so their fortunes quickly
turned.

Tost lor changierent lor
afeires.

The bishop said to the Marshal:

Li avesque al Mareschal

"Upon my soul, these men of
ours did badly,

Dist: "Par mon chef, cist
ont fait mal,

for it is abundantly obvious

Car c'est la verité provee

that they haven't yet found

Qu'il n'ont pas unquore trovee

the right gate, the one I had in
mind.

La dreite entree ou mis cuers
pense,

There they will find no
resistance,

Car ja n'i troveront defense;

for I can tell you that nobody
guards it;

Car sachiez que nuls ne la garde

no man on our side need have any
fear.

Ne nuls de nos n'i avra garde.

And I can tell you for a fact

E sachiez bien, tot a seür,

16550

that a part of their wall

C'une partie de lur mur

is breached, to our advantage,

I est a nostre ues aoverte

but not open to those inside.

E a cels de laïnz coverte;

Come, I will take you
there!"

Je vos i merrai; venez
i!"

The Marshal replied,

E li Mareschal respondi,

that worthy earl William,

Li boens cuens qui ot non
Willelme:

"God's lance! Here, bring
me my helmet!"

"Por la glavie Dieu! cha
mon helme!"

The bishop said in reply: "My lord,

Li evesques respondi: "Sire,

listen a while to what I wish to
say:

Oiez un poi que vuil dire:

it is not wise to act in such
haste

L'en ne deit mie en tel sorsalt

16560

and launch such an attack at
this time.

Ci endreit faire teil assalt;

Instead, allow two men

Mes souffrez que entor la tor

from each of our squadrons

Augent dui home tot entor

to go round the tower,

De chascune de noz batailles,

to find out about the
hiding-places,

Qui enquerront les repostailles

and, in line with what they
discover,

E, selon ce que il veront,

to give us their advice."

Selonc ce nos conseilleront.

The Marshal accepted this,

Li Mareschal bien li otreie.

and then set forth,

Lors se mist avant a la veie,

whilst the bishop of Winchester

E li evesque de Wincestre

16570

.......... ten ................;

Dis
...........................................;

he took two from each formation,

De chascune eschiele en prist
deus,

and with them he went to the
place.

Dessi qu'al liu vint ovec els.

And when those who went
encountered the soldiers,

E quant les servanz
encontrerent,

who had beaten an ugly retreat,

Qui leidement parti s'en erent,

they reviled them greatly

Molt les ledirent cil qui
vindrent

when they were close to them in
the throng.

Quant dedenz la presse les
tindrent.

"Ride on!" the
Marshal then said

Lors dist li Mareschal: "Errez!"

to all his men, "for
you will see them

A toz les suens, "car les
verrez,

beaten in a short while.

Qu'il seront vencu en poi d'ore.

16580

Shame be upon the head of him
who waits longer!"

Honiz seit qui plus
demore!"

The bishop said to him: "My
dear lord,

Li evesques li dist: "Bel
sire,

listen a while to what I wish to
say to you.

Oiez un poi que jo vueil dire.

Wait in there for your men,

Atendez leiens vostre gent;

for it will be a finer and more
proper thing,

Si sera plus bel e plus gent

and far safer, I think,

E greingnor seürté, ce semble,

if we all rode there as a body.

Que nos augons trestuit
ensemble,

That is what is fitting, I
believe,

Que s'apartient, ce m'est a vis,

and, at the same time, our
enemies will have greater fear of us

Si nos creindront nos enemis

when they see us all together;

Plus, quant ensemble nos veront;

16590

our arrival will cost them
dearly."

Nostre venue comperont."

The truth is that the Marshal

D'icez paroles, c'est la
veire,

had no inclination to accept
these words of advice.

Nel volt pas li Mareschal
creire,

Instead, more swiftly than a
merlin could fly,

Mes plus tost c'uns emerillons

he spurred on his horse,

Feri cheval des esperonz,

and all those in his company

Si que tot cil qui o lui erent

were emboldened by what they saw
him do.

S'enhardirent quant
l'esgarderent.

A young lad then said to him:

Un vallez li comence a dire:

"In God's name, my dear
lord, wait for us;

"Por Deu, atendez nos, beal
sire;

you haven't got your helmet
on."

Vos n'avez pas vostre
healme."

16600

It was then that earl William
realised that this was so,

Lors s'aparchust li cuens
Willealme;

so he said to the young Marshal:

Lors dist al giemble Mareschal:

"Wait for me here

"Atendez moi a cest ostal

while I get my helmet;

Tant que j'aie mon helme pris,

I nearly made a mistake
there."

Mes d'itant dui aveir
mespris."

The delay was not for long,

Ne fist mie grant demoree;

and once the helmet was on his
head

E quant il ot sa teste armee

he appeared more handsome than
all the rest.

Sor trestoz les autres fu bels;

As swiftly as if he were a bird,

Si treslegiers come uns oisels,

a sparrowhawk or an eagle,

Esperviers ne alerions,

16610

he pricked the horse with his
spurs.

Feri le cheval des esperons.

From now on he wished to be in
full view.

Des uimés velt que l'en le veie;

No ravenous lion, on
finding its prey

Lions famillos sor sa preie,

helpless on the ground beneath
it,

Quant soz sei la trueve a
bandon,

ever rushed at it with such
ferocity,

Ne vient unques de cel randon

I would say, as did the Marshal

Cum li Mareschal, ce m'est vis

when he attacked his enemies.

Corut sore a ses enemis.

This man, who had performed so
many deeds of valour,

Cil qui des proëces fist tantes

plunged into the very thick of
them

Plus que la longor de treis
hantes

over a distance greater than
three spears' length,

S'enbati en lor grant espeisse,

16620

thinning their ranks by main
force

Si qu'a force les deespeisse

and breaking up in his path a
press

E derront avant sei la presse,

which was very tightly formed
and crowding in on him.

Qui molt ert espresse e
empresse;

He really knew how to clear the
way ahead,

Bien sout fere avant lui la
veie,

routing them all and pushing
them aside.

Que toz les desrote e deveie.

The bishop followed,

Li evesques aprés ala,

shouting loudly

Qui a haute voiz s'escria:

many times, in all directions:

Plusors feiz amont e aval:

"This way! God is with the
Marshal!"

"Ça! Dex aïe al
Mareschal!"

But I nearly omitted to mention
the fact

Mes d'itant dui aveir
mespris

16630

that, as our side
arrived, there was killed

Qu'el venir des noz fu ocis

their most expert stonethrower,

Lor plus mestre perreior,

the one who was bombarding the
tower.

Cil qui perreiot a la tor;

When he saw our knights,

Cil, quant il vit noz
chevaliers,

he had become more heartened and
resolute,

Si em fu plus bauz e plus fiers,

for he thought they were on his
side,

Qu'il quida ce fuissent des
suens,

so the game seemed a better one
to him.

Si li sembla li gius plus buens.

He put his stone in the
catapult,

Lors mist la pierre en la
perriere,

and those coming up behind him,

E cil qui li erent derriere,

once they had heard him say "Eh!" twice,

Si comme il out dit deus feiz: "é!"

16640

prevented him from saying
another "Eh!",

Le firent faillir a l'autre "é",

for they cut off his head

Car il li couperent la teste,

without any further ceremony.

N'unques n'en firent autre
feste.

I can vouch for the fact that
the young Marshal

Li genvles Mareschal por veir

made it plain for all to see

Fist bien a toz aparceveir

that he had no wish to be left
behind,

Qu'il ne voleit pas estre
ariere,

since his banner was always

Car toz dis esteit sa baniere

seen at the very front,

El premier front devant veüe;

and was well recognised there
that day.

Bien i fu le jor coneüe.

Our men rode up most fiercely,

Nos genz vindrent molt durement,

16650

and the other side began to put
up

E cil molt angosusement

a very stout defence,

Se coumencierent a defendre,

though they had no wish to tarry
there for very long,

Mes n'i voldrent pas trop
atendre;

for it was not a matter of
issuing threats.

N'i aveit mot del manescier.

By the time the Marshal had had
his helmet laced up,

Quant son healme fist lacier

I can tell you for a fact that

Li Mareschal, por verité,

his son entered the city

Entra sis filz en la cité

through the breach in the wall,
with a sizeable contingent of his own men,

Par la breque o plenté des
suens,

of which there were many worthy
present.

Dont il i ot asez de buens,

.....................................

E molt entor lui seu

16660

....he found the enemy there,

La gent trova de la,

who formed a far more handsome
contingent,

Qui plus esteient bels d'asez

for there were many more of
those there

Car trop en i ot amassez

assembled in the city

De cels qui en la cité erent

than in the company of those who
had entered.

Plus que de cels qui i
entrerent,

Despite that, he lost no time in
assailing them.

Mes il lor corust tantost sore.

And I can tell you that, within
a very short time,

Si vos di en molt poi d'ore

they had inflicted great damage
on those inside,

Orent cels dedenz molt
quassez,

although many feats of arms had
been performed

Mes fait i out d'armes asés

by both sides in the meantime.

Entre tant d'ambedeus parties.

16670

Before it came to the conclusion
of the fight,

Ainz qu'il venist as departies

those inside the city had
had

En orent cil de la cité

the worst of it, I can tell
you,

Le pis parti, c'est verité,

for I can assure you that

Car je vos di que tote veie

the young Marshal continually

Les mist cil par force a la veie

sent their men on their way by
force.

Qui esteit gienvles Mareschals;

And the father came galloping
up,

E li peres, qui vit grant dals,

together with the worthy earl of
Salisbury,

E li buens cuens de Salesbere,

to whom may God and his mother

A cui Damlnedex e sa mere

grant such a reward

Otreit issi buen gueredon

16680

that he find pardon for his
sins;

Qu'il ait de ses pecchez pardon,

these two turned to the right,

Icist dui tornerent a destre

leaving on their left

E si lasserent a senestre

a church, and they came across
the enemy,

Un mostier e lor gent troverent,

many of them

Dunt grant partie ileques erent

in great fear and trembling.

En grant peor e en esmai,

Robert of Roppesley

Si que Robert de Ropelai

picked up a lance to joust,

Prist une lance por joster;

and, whatever the cost might be
to him,

Que que il li deüst coster,

he dealt such a savage blow to
the earl

Si durement feri le conte

16690

of Salisbury, as our story has
it,

De Salesbire, c'est al conte,

that he broke his lance into
pieces,

Que sa lance en pieces bruissa;

after which he rode on past.

A itant utre s'en passa.

As he rode back,

Al retor, en son revenir,

the Marshal dealt him such a
fierce

Li Mareschal de teil aïr

blow between the shoulders

Entrë espalles le feri

that he almost knocked him to
the ground.

Si que par poi ne l'abati.

And he, who had all the
misfortune,

E il, qui tot a le mescheeir,

slid to the ground

Se lassa a terre chaeir;

and, out of fear, went to hide

Por la poor s'ala muchier,

16700

as quickly as he could in an
upper room,

A l'einz qu'il pout, en un
solier,

for he dared not be found on the
ground.

Car il n'osa remeindre a terre.

And our side had no inclination
to pay him much attention

Ne voldrent atendre a lui guere,

and rode on in pursuit.

Mes por teser avant passerent.

They found the count of Perche

Le conte de Perche troverent

right in front of the church,

Aseiz pres devant le
mostier

looking very arrogant and proud.

Molt orguillos e molt tresfier.

He was a very tall, handsome,
fine-looking man,

Molt esteit bels e granz e genz

and he had many men with him.

E molt out grant plenté de genz;

They put up a very stern
defence,

Molt durement se defendirent,

16710

whilst our side strove with all
their might

Et li nostre molt entendirent

to do them mischief,

A els grever de grant puissance,

for they detested the French.

Car molt haeient cels de France.

There were many feats of arms
performed there,

Ilec ot fet d'armes assez,

and the truth is that there were
many

Car de bleciez e de quassez

of their men who were found

E de folez e de batuz

within the walls wounded and
maimed,

E de pris e de retenuz

trampled on and beaten,

I ot molt, c'est la verité,

and many taken captive,

Des trovez dedenz la cité,

and many of our own also came to
grief,

E des nos genz lediz sovent,

16720

for nobody there sought
protection

Car nuls n'i quereit tensement

or gave himself up for ransom or
wished to be enrolled among the prisoners;

N'amercïer ne metre en taille;

all were intent on the fight.

Tuit tendeient a la bataille.

[Fierce was the battle and the
fighting,]

Grant fu la mellee e l'estor,

and the count of Perche
performed

E molt i fist d'armes le jor

many great feats of arms that
day,

Li quens del Perche durement,

although he did not last out
long,

Mes n'i dura pas longement,

for he began to inflict

E molt commença fierement

great damage on our men.

A grever tote nostre gent.

The Marshal could see that the
French

Li Mareschal vit que sa gent

16730

were forcing his men

Remuoent molt durement

from the high ground to the low,

Les Franceis del mont vers le
val

pushing them back down.

E les reüsoent aval.

Immediately he stretched out his
hand

En es le pas tendi la main

and took the count of Perche's
horse by the bridle,

E prist le conte par le frein,

and that seemed the right thing
to do,

Del Perche, e si sembla raison,

for he was the highest ranking
man

Por ço qu'il ert le plus hauz
hom

to be found on the French side.

Qui i fust devers les Franceis,

However, before that, he had
been wounded

Mais il esteit navrez anceis

mortally through his eyehole

Parmi l'oilliere mortelment

16740

by a cruel straight thrust of
the sword

D'un espee estreit leidement,

delivered by Sir Reginald Croc

Del quel misire Reinal Croc

with the point of the sword
straight through the eye.

L'aveit feru tot a estoc.

When the count of Perche saw the
defenders

Quant li cuens del Perche a noz
genz

being so pushed back by our men,

Vit si reüser cels dedenz,

he immediately let go of his
bridle,

Par lui fu tost laschiez sis
freins

took his sword in both hands,

E a pris l'espee de deus mains

and dealt the Marshal

E fiert li Mareschal Willielme

three consecutive blows on his
helmet.

Treis cops pres a pres sor le
helme;

The blows dealt were so hard and
fierce

Si tresgranz e si estult furent

16750

that the marks could be clearly
seen on the helmet.

Que sor le healme bien parurent;

But, immediately after that, he
slumped down

Tantost si branla contreval

and fell from his horse.

E trebucha de son cheval.

Truly, when the earl Marshal saw

Quant li cuens Mareschal por
veir

the count fall in this manner,

Vit issi le conte chaeir,

he thought he had fainted

Si cuida qu'il se fust pasmez

and feared he would be blamed.

E dota qu'il n'en fust blasmez.

To William de Montigny

A Willeme de Montigni

he said: "Dismount and take
off

Dist: "Decendez e ostez lui

that helmet which is causing him
great distress;

Son helme qui forment le grieve;

16760

I fear that he may not get up
again."

De li dot qu'il ne se
relieve."

Once his helmet had been
removed,

Quant li helmes lui fu ostez,

while the Marshal was by his
side

E cil fu de lui el costez,

to see that he was stone dead,

E vit qu'il esteit toz freiz
morz,

the sorrow there was intense.

La fu grant li desconforz.

Once the blade had been
withdrawn

De la plaie qui lui fu fete

from the wound he had received
through

Par l'oiliere, quant en fu trete

his eyehole, there was nothing
for him but death.

L'alemele, morir l'estut;

It was a great pity that he died
in this manner.

Ce fu grant dous qu'issi morut.

And when the French, who were a
mighty force,

E quant Franceis, qui grant gent
erent,

16770

saw that our men had attacked

Virent que nos genz se meslerent

them with such vigour,

A els si vigorosement

they were greatly dismayed

Si s'esmaierent durement

and could no longer stand and
resist.

E qu'il n'i poeient plus estre;

They rode down a street on the
left

Aval une rue a senestre

and headed for Wigford,

S'en tornerent ver Wikefort,

for it was difficult for them to
stand their ground.

Car l'atendre lor ert fort.

They were pleased when they
found

Bel lor fu, car troverent

some of their men still in the
field;

De lor genz qui encore i erent;

very pleased, I should think.

Molt lor en fu bel, ce me
semble.

16780

They then grouped together

Lors se ralïerent ensemble

with a view to launching another
assault,

Por venir encore
assembler,

but they would have done better
to steal away,

Mes melz les en venist embler,

as some did subsequently,

Come tels i ot firent puis,

as I read it in my source,

Si comme en l'estorie le truis;

for they looked to their right

Car il regarderent sor destre

and saw the earl of Chester

Si virent le conte de Cestre

in the company of his worthy
men,

E sa bone gent ovec lui;

and that turned out to be to
their great cost.

Molt lor torna en grant ennui.

The young Marshal went to see
his father,

Li gienbles Mareschal al pere

16790

and he gave him a very warm
welcome

Vint, qui molt li fist bele here

and was overjoyed

E molt durement s'esjoï

by what he had seen and heard,

De ce que il vit e oï

that is that his son performed
so exceedingly well

Que si durement le feseit

in the combat, which was much to
his liking.

En l'estor qui molt li pleseit.

The father asked: "Are you
wounded?"

Li pere dist: "Avés nul
mal?"

He replied: "My lord, not
at all."

Il respondi: "Sire,
nenal."

The worthy man in turn said: "I am certain that,

E li prodom respondi: "Certes,

if it please God, our
losses

Si Dieu pleist, nos avrons nos
pertes

will be somewhat repaired today.

Alques restorees encui.

16800

In my opinion and estimation,

Si comme g'entent e je cui,

we shall either defeat them this
very day

Nos lé veintromes ui cest jor

or they will leave us victors in
the field.

Ou il nos guerperont l'estor.

Then it will be plain for all to
see

Si ert veü apertement

how the French perform.

Qu'il uevrent li Franceis.

Let every man take thought to do
well,

Ore penst chascuns de bien
faire,

for we have no wish to seek
their company."

Car nos nes volons mie
atrere."

After that the French arrived

A itant vindrent li Franceis

with the English

E ensemble o els li Engleis,

who had fallen in with them.

Icil qui o els se teneient;

16810

In tight battle-formation

Serré e bataillié esteient

they came riding uphill,

E veneient encontremont,

but, before they had reached the
top,

Mes anceis qu'il fussent amont

they met our forces.

Encontrerent il nostre gent.

They were not at all pleased by
what they saw,

Ne lor sembla pas bel ne gent,

for our side rode in a fine,
orderly fashion

Qu'il vindrent sagement e bel

between the church and the
castle.

Entre l'eglise e le chastel.

They engaged with their men and
attacked them

Nostre gent a els assemblerent

so savagely that they drove them

Si durement qu'il les menerent

by force back down hill, in
disarray

Par force contreval
arriere,

16820

and not following road or track.

Sanz quere chemin ne chariere.

Sir Alan Basset and his brother,

Sire Aleins Basset e sis freres

Sir Thomas, with loud shouts

Sire Thomas, o lor vois cleres,

attacked them from behind

Les escrierent par deriere

together with all their bold and
valiant men.

A toz lor genz herdie e fere.

When they saw themselves
surrounded,

Quant enclos se virent issi,

they were somewhat dismayed,

Lors furent alques esbahi,

and they had no time to rest nor
find relief

Qu'il n'orent arrest ne confort

until they reached the bridge in
Wigford.

Dessi qu'al pont de Wikefort;

But then they were on soft
ground.

Lors furent en la mole terre.

16830

A man would not have had to ride
there

La ne covint pas aler quere

very far to seek out combat,

Chevalerie gueres loingnz,

for every man with a mind to do
that

Car chascuns en out pleins les
poins

had his hands full of it;

Qui d'armes se volt entremetre;

there was no question there of
offering pledges,

Qu'il n'i aveient gaige a metre

for the sole price to pay would
be their heads and their lives.

Ne mes les testes e les vies.

The boasts made at night in the
lodgings

La n'erent proz les aaties

were of no use here;

Que l'en feit al seir a
l'osteil;

they had much else to do.

Asez aveient a feire eil.

There were many feats of arms
performed there

Ilec ot fet d'armes assez

16840

by both sides, until

D'amedeus pars, tant que lassez

even the very strongest amongst
them felt weary,

S'en sentirent tot li plus fort,

for there was no succour

Car ilec n'aveit nul confort

to be expected:

Ou il se peüssent atendre

all they could expect was the
giving and receiving of blows.

Fors de cops doner e de prendre.

Some speak of great feats of
arms

Tel parole de bien fait
d'armes

who, if they held a shield

Que, s'il teneit par les enarmes

by the straps at such a time,

Un escu en itel afaire,

would certainly not know what to
do with it.

Certes, qu'il n'en savreit que
faire;

And, if they were fully armed,

E s'il esteit de tot armez,

16850

they would think they were
bewitched,

Il quidereit estre charmez,

to the point where they would be
powerless to move,

Si que ja mes ne se meüst

however much they needed to do
so.

Por nul besoing qu'il en eüst.

What is armed combat? Is it the
same

Qu'est fere d'armes? fet en l'an

as working with a sieve or
winnow,

Si comme d'un crible ou d'un van

with an axe or mallet?

Ou d'une coingnie ou d'un mail?

Not at all, it is much nobler
work,

Nenil, c'est trop greignor
travail,

for he who undertakes these
tasks is able to take a rest

Car cil quin uevre se repose

when he has worked for a while.

Quant il a ovré une pose.

What, then, is chivalry?

Que est donques chevalerie?

16860

Such a difficult, tough,

Si forte chose e si herdie

and very costly thing to learn

E si trescostos a aprendre

that no coward ventures to take
it on.

Que nuls malveis ne l'ose
enprendre.

Is every knight really such?

Est chascuns chevaliers un tels?

Not at all, for.............

Nenil, nen a astels

there are many who do nothing
with their arms,

Assez qui d'armes n'en font rien

but that does not prevent them
from boasting.

E sin richeient il molt bien.

Any man seeking to achieve high
honour

Qui en haute enor se velt metre

must first see to it

Primes li covient entremetre

that he has been well schooled.

Qu'il en ait esté a escole.

16870

At the battle of Lincoln

En la bataille de Nichole

were some who had learned
sufficiently

Ot de tels quin orent apris

to have won high renown.

Tant qu'il esteient de haut
pris.

I can tell you that in that
battle

Bien sachiez qu'en cele
assemblee

prowess was not lacking,

Ne fu mie proësse emblee,

for you would have seen knights

Car la veïst l'en chevaliers

armed and mounted on their
chargers,

Armez seeir sor les destriers,

holding their shields by the
straps.

Les escuz as enarmes pris.

Any man who rode a valuable
horse

Qui aveit buen cheval de pris

and had in his hand a sturdy
lance,

E teneit en sa main boen glavie

16880

would not have traded that lance
for all the gold in Blaye,

Nel chanjast por tot l'or de
Blaive,

nor would he have lent it at
that hour of need,

Ne nel prestast a cel
bosoingn:

for, had he done so, he would
have been hard put to it to get it back.

Trop li fust li recovrers loing.

Had you been there, you would
have seen great blows dealt,

La veïst l'en grant coups ferir,

heard helmets clanging and
resounding,

Haumes soner e retentir

seen lances fly in splinters in
the air,

E gleives voler en esteles,

saddles vacated by riders,
knights taken prisoner.

Chevaliers prendre e vuidier
seles.

You would have heard, from place
to place,

La oïst l'en parmi les places

great blows delivered by swords
and maces

Grant cops d'espees e de maches

on helmets and on arms,

Sor les helmes e sor les braz

16890

[and seen] knives and daggers
drawn

E coutels treire e alesnaz

for the purpose of stabbing
horses;

Por chevals ocire a estoc;

their protective covering was
not worth a fig.

N'i valeit coverture un froc.

You would have seen hands
stretched out

La veïst l'en tendre les mains

on many a side to take horses by
their bridles.

De plusors parz por prendre as
freinz;

Some spurred forward to help

Li un poigneient por secore

and come to the rescue of
companions

Lor compaignons e por recore

they saw suffering injury,

Qu'il veeient venir a honte,

but there was no question of an
actual rescue.

Mes del rescorre n'eirt nul
conte.

The noise there was so great

La esteit la noise si grant

16900

that you
would not have heard God thunder

Que l'en n'i oïst Deu tonant,

for anything, had he chosen
to do so,

Por nule rien, se il tonast,

and nobody would have been aware
of it.

Ne nuls garde ne s'en donast.

When the shout "The King's
men! The King's men!" went up,

Quant l'en criout: "Reials!
Reials!"

you would have seen the traitors

Lors veïst l'en les desleals

so disturbed and careworn,

Si trespensez e alordiz

so bowed down and dumbfounded,

E enbronchiez e estordiz

that they did not know what to
do,

Que il ne saveient que feire,

nor was there any question of
retreat.

N'il n'i aveit mot del retreire.

The King's men began to get the
upper hand;

Li Real se pristrent a prendre;

16910

there was no question of putting
up a defence there,

Ça n'i aveit mot de defendre,

for they knew and could see only
too well

Car bien virent e bien saveient

that they had completely lost.

Que tot a tot perdu aveient.

William Bloet, who held the
banner

Ne voleit pas estre deriere

of the young Marshal,

Willeme, qui tint la baniere,

had no wish to be left behind;

Bloët, al gienvle Mareschal,

indeed, he spurred his horse so
quickly

Ainz hurta si tost le cheval

that he landed in the press,

Que il s'enbati en la presse,

which was very dense and
violent,

Qui molt ert espresse e
engresse,

so heavily and head on

Si angoisseement de
front

16920

that he fell over the side of
the bridge,

Que il chaï outre le pont,

he and his horse with him;

Il e son cheval tot ensemble;

a man who launches such an
attack is no coward.

N'est pas mauveis qui si
asemble.

He had not come there to lie
down, however;

Il n'i vint pas por sei gesir;

any man who had seen him leap to
his feet,

Qui lors le veïst sus saillir

would have born witness to his
fleetness of foot,

Torner le deüst a vistesce

his valour and prowess.

E a valor e a proësce.

There the contest was fought,

Iloc fu li chaples tenuz

but hardly long

Mes ne fu gueres meintenuz

by the French side,

Devers la partie as Franceis,

16930

men who, beforehand, had made so
many boasts

Qui tant se vantoent anceis

about driving from the land

Qu'il chacereient de la terre

all the men of England.

Trestoz les Engleis
d'Engleterre.

In the battle was taken
prisoner Saher de Quincy,

La fu pris Sechiers de Quenci,

earl of Winchester, as was

Cuens de Wincestre, e autresi

Sir Robert fitz Walter.

Sire Robert le filz Gauter;

Without any delay my lord Robert
de Quincy

Si fu pris sanz nul demorier

was also taken,

Missire Robert de Quenci,

16940

as were many others too,

E plosors autres autresi

which was not a matter to my
displeasure.

Furent pris, dont point ne
m'ennuie,

The rest rode off in flight

E li sorplus torna en fuie

down along the street

Tote la rue contreval

that leads straight to the
Hospital;

Qui s'en veit dreit a
l'Hospital;

the way seemed a very difficult
one to them

Molt lor sembla la veie forte

until they had reached the last
gate.

Dusqu'a la dererene porte.

But then there occured an
incident

La lor avint une aventure,

which caused them great harm and
injury:

Qui mult lor fu pesante e dure,

a cow went through the gate,

C'une vache entra en la porte,

16950

the one with the port-cullis,

En cele qui le fleel porte,

and as it did the gate came down
to the ground,

E la porte se clost aval

with the result that no rider

Issi que nuls homme a cheval

could have passed through, try
as he might.

N'i passast en nule maniere.

They now could not move either
forward or backward,

Lors ne porent avant n'arriere;

and, anxious as they were

Mes cil, qui angoissos en erent

to get out, they killed the cow.

De issir s'en, la vache
acorerent.

The danger was at its worst
there,

La fu plus fors li enconbrers,

and many of their knights were
taken prisoner,

La out molt pris de chevaliers

as if they had been surrendered
up.

Des lor, cum se ce fust
livree.

16960

Once the gate had been broken
down,

Quant la porte fu debrusee,

immediately Sir Simon de Poissy

Tant tost fuant s'en issi

fled through the gap

Missires Simons de Peissi,

and after him went the castellan
of Arras,

E puis li chasteleins de Arraz,

he who had come to chase away
the rats

Cil qui vint por chacier les raz

for the ladies who had come to
London

As dames qui a Londres vindrent

to surrender and who took their
side.

All the others who made their
escape

rested neither by night or day

in any house or any town,

16970

because they believed that the
bushes

everywhere, on the hills and in
the valleys,

were hiding any number of
Marshals,

and they were much afraid at
last by that thought.

That was all too obvious at the
Holland bridge,

which was broken and in a
dangerous condition,

for they killed their horses

to make a bridge to cross over,

such was their haste to do so.

This text was translated by Stewart Gregory, with the assistance of David Crouch. We thank Ian Short of the Anglo-Norman Text Society and David Crouch for their permission and assistance in republishing this section.